Machu Picchu Pueblo Becomes First City in Latin America to Be 100 Percent Sustainable

a canyon with a mountain in the background: The majestic Machu Picchu, Peru. (Photo via SL_Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Machu Picchu Pueblo has become the first city in Latin America to be 100 percent sustainable.

The achievement was announced by Inkaterra, a hotel group focused on sustainable tourism and hotel development. Working in partnership with beverage distribution company AJE Group, Inkaterra has succeeded in helping the pueblo manage 100 percent of its solid waste.

“Continuing their initiatives for the conservation and environmental care of Machu Picchu, AJE Group and Inkaterra presented the first organic waste treatment plant to the city,” according to a statement issued by Inkaterra.

“Through the process of pyrolysis, in which the waste is decomposed at high temperatures without oxygen, seven tons of trash is processed per day, generating bio-coal, a natural fertilizer that will be used to restore the Andean cloud forest and contribute to the agricultural productivity of Machu Picchu.”

In addition to the organic waste treatment plant, Inkaterra and the AJE Group previously delivered a plastic compactor plant, which will be used to recycle trash found along the Inca Trail, the most famous trekking route in South America.

The plant was donated in 2017 and helped ensure that the ruins of Machu Picchu were not added to UNESCO’s list of Heritage at Risk. The facility processes about 14 tons of polyester plastic each day.

What’s more, in 2018, a biodiesel and glycerin plant was brought online at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. By processing used vegetable oil from Machu Picchu’s homes, lodges, hotels and restaurants, 20 gallons of biodiesel are produced daily from nearly 6,000 liters of used oil each month.

The glycerin obtained as part of the process is also used by the municipality to clean stone floors, thus replacing chemical products.

This long list of efforts to turn Machu Picchu into a model of global sustainability is being applauded around the world. Already the work has received the Peruvian “Líderes + 1” prize and, in Germany, the prestigious “Die Goldene Palme” award in the category of Responsible Tourism.

“The strategic alliance between Inkaterra, the AJE Group and the Municipality of Machu Picchu aims to change the perception of our wonderful city into a sustainable destination and become an example of management for ecotourism worldwide,” said aJosé Joechlin, Inkaterra’s Founder and CEO. “We have managed to awaken the ecological conscience of the local community, which now segregates waste from homes and establishments.”

Scandinavian Airlines strike affects 72,000 travelers

People are seated after flights were cancelled by Scandinavian Airlines, at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen, Norway, Friday, April 26, 2019. Pilots for Scandinavian Airlines have launched an open-ended strike following the collapse of pay negotiations, forcing the company to cancel almost all its flights. (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB Scanpix via AP)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Pilots for Scandinavian Airlines on Friday launched an open-ended strike following the collapse of pay negotiations, forcing the company to cancel virtually all its flights — 673 of them, affecting 72,000 passengers.

The Stockholm-based carrier said talks on a new collective bargaining agreement with the SAS Pilot Group, which represents 95% of the company’s pilots in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, collapsed early Friday.

In airports throughout the region, SAS staff in yellow vests were assisting stranded passengers to rebook or obtain refunds.

Mina Kvam Tveteraas and her friend Bettina Svendsen were stranded at Stavanger Airport in Norway after their flight to Copenhagen was canceled.

“We have booked a hotel for three nights and the rooms are not refunded,” Kvam Tveteraas told Norway’s TV2 channel. “I have no idea what to do and I’m mad.”

The pilots’ negotiations that started in March mainly centered on salary increases and working hours.

Details have not been released but the pan-Scandinavian union says it wants salaries to be in line with the market rate, while SAS negotiators have called the requests “unreasonable and extreme.” SAS spokeswoman Karin Nyman said the pilots’ demands “would have very negative consequences for the company.”

Wilhelm Tersmeden, chairman of the Swedish pilots association, said SAS employees are facing “deteriorated working conditions, unpredictability in planning work hours and insecurity for their own job.”

“Almost one in four SAS flights is flown by subcontractors and we want to know what our future looks like,” he told Sweden’s TT news agency.

Jacob Pedersen, an analyst with Denmark’s Sydbank, estimated the strike in average would cost between 60 million and 80 million Swedish kronor ($6.3-8.4 million) a day.

The strike “makes it clear that SAS is more vulnerable than we previously expected,” he said. “Competition is tough, and with a European economy moving at a slower pace, SAS may also fight harder for profits this year.”

The company said the strike doesn’t include flights operated by SAS partner airlines, making up approximately 30% of its departures, and is not expected to affect other airlines’ departures and arrivals.

This is the most beautiful country in the world, according to travelers

Isle of Skye

The largest island of the Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Skye has one of the most incredible landscapes in the world. Historic castles dot the island against a backdrop of mountain scenery, and famous sights include the Old Man of Storr — a rocky crag rising from grassy slopes — and the enchanting Fairytale Pools, made up of beautiful blue and green waterfalls and natural pools you can swim in.

3/16 SLIDES © iStock

Rannoch Moor

Loch Lomond

Located in the southern part of the country, Loch Lomond is Great Britain’s largest inland body of water. Both highlands and lowlands surround the freshwater lake — which lies right on the bounder between the two — and you’ll find serene scenery filled with oak trees and red deer, as well as footpaths and bike trails on the lake’s eastern side for you to explore.

Dunnottar Castle

Along the country’s northeastern coast lies Dunnottar Castle, a ruined medieval fortress made up of remnants from the 15th and 16th centuries. It’s held quite a bit of significance in Scottish history due to its advantageous location, and it is believed that the site has been fortified in some form since the Early Middle Ages. Though the castle went into decline after playing a major role in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, it saw a restoration in the 20th century and is open today to tourists who want to see this piece of history and the breathtaking scenery surrounding it.

Isle of Iona

The Isle of Iona is one of the Inner Hebrides’ smaller islands, and a serene locale where many people go for spiritual retreats. Its quaint abbey is now a church but remains a feat of medieval architecture that’s of interest to visitors with interest in both history and religion.

Glencoe

A village of less than 400 people in the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe is filled with gorgeously green scenery and mountainous landscapes. Located at the northwest end of the glen of Glen Coe, the village is situated along the River Coe where it enters Loch Leven. Get a breathtaking look at the whole area from the top of the Pap of Glencoe, a spot picturesque enough to propose at.

Slide 8 of 16: Connecting the towns of Applecross and Torridan, Bealach na BÃ is a mountain pass that was built in 1822. Itâs known for its hairpin bends, as well as for having the steepest incline of any road in the United Kingdom. Not for amateur drivers, itâs still a great experience for those looking to take an exhilarating and scenic drive.

Bealach na Bà

Connecting the towns of Applecross and Torridan, Bealach na Bà is a mountain pass that was built in 1822. It’s known for its hairpin bends, as well as for having the steepest incline of any road in the United Kingdom. Not for amateur drivers, it’s still a great experience for those looking to take an exhilarating and scenic drive.

Orkney

A group of islands located off of Scotland’s northeastern coast, Orkney is home to majestic whales and a lot of ancient history. Neolithic sites can be found here, particularly a group of sites on its largest island that are over 5,000 years old, such as Maeshowe, a burial chamber with Viking carvings from the 1300s and Skara Brae, a preserved ancient village where you’ll find a reconstructed house from the era.

Crail

The picturesque parish of Crail on the western coast of Scotland is known for its architecture and scenic location. With many buildings that date from the 17th to early 19th centuries, many of which have been restored thanks to the National Trust of Scotland, the historic fishing village is perfect for a stroll down its cobbled streets.

Finnich Glen

Finnich Glen is a 70-foot-deep glen located in Stirlingshire near Craighat Wood. A circular rock located in the glen is known as the “Devil’s Pulpit,” while a steep staircase, built in 1860, is known as the “Devil’s Steps.” Hidden away under a small stone bridge that people cross to enter the nearby village of Croftamie, the mysterious gorge is made of sandstone that sometimes makes the water look red, a striking contrast against the moss-covered walls.

Slide 12 of 16: The Scottish capital is an interesting combination of tradition and modernity, with modern architecture standing alongside Gothic churches and medieval palaces. Both Edinburghâs New and Old Towns are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with the latter being the home of the iconic Edinburgh Castle that looms over the city from one of its highest points.

Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is an interesting combination of tradition and modernity, with modern architecture standing alongside Gothic churches and medieval palaces. Both Edinburgh’s New and Old Towns are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with the latter being the home of the iconic Edinburgh Castle that looms over the city from one of its highest points.

Isle of Mull

The main attraction on the Isle of Mull is its capital, Tobermory, a waterfront town that’s home to the island’s only single malt Scotch whisky distillery as well as a main street filled with buildings painted bright colors and housing some great shops and restaurants. Mull also has some great beaches, beautiful hills and fascinating wildlife, and it’s where you’ll find the Gribun Cliffs, wonderful for a hike or drive by the water.

Loch Ness

You may not be able to spot the famous monster of Scottish legend, but a trip to Loch Ness is still one filled with mystery and wonder at the beauty of this large and deep freshwater lake, surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Visit the ruins of the 13th-century Urquhart Castle, which overlooks Loch Ness on its western shore, to learn a bit about Scottish medieval history.

Pitlochry

The Victorian vibe is very apparent in the town of Pitlochry, which lies right along the River Tummel. A tourist resort since Queen Victoria visited the area in 1842 and the construction of a railway in 1863, it’s known for both its historic architecture and for the surrounding hills and mountains, perfect for a gorgeous hike.

Do I need to update carrier settings on iPhone for Mint Mobile?

What’s Mint Mobile?

Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MYVO) that was founded in 2016 by California-based Ultra Mobile. The company offers prepaid mobile plans that run on the T-Mobile cellular network in the United States. Considered a discount carrier, Mint Mobile offers plans starting at just $15 per month. For this, you receive unlimited talk and text, a free SIM card, nationwide coverage, and the ability to use your device as a mobile hotspot.

Mint Mobile plans must be purchased in increments of 3-, 6-, and 12-months. You choose the amount of 4G LTE data per month (3, 8, or 12GB). With Auto Recharge, you can make sure you never run out of data by having your plan renewed automatically through your debit or credit card. Otherwise, because there’s no contract, your plan ends after its completion.

Through the Mint Mobile app or website, you can purchase additional data when you’re reaching your monthly limit for as little as $10 for 1GB. You can also add international calling credits starting at $5.

Can I bring my own phone?

Mint Mobile’s Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program allows you to use the service with any unlocked GSM phone. You can keep your current number or select a new one. The service supports unlocked GSM-network phones from AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, and MetroPCS phones. The company also offers unlocked phones via its website from companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, LG, and more.

Updating carrier settings

Once installing the Mint Mobile SIM card on your iPhone, you might have to update your carrier settings. In doing so, you’ll be able to use Mint Mobile’s newest features, including Visual Voicemail, Wi-Fi calling and text, and VoLTE-enabled calling, otherwise known as Voice Over LTE.

To check whether you need to update the carrier settings:

First, make sure you’re using the latest iOS version on your iPhone. If you aren’t, upgrade to the latest version.
Once the phone is updated, go to Settings > General > About > Carrier.
If prompted to update your carrier settings, select Update.

That’s it. Your iPhone’s carrier settings have been updated and you’re ready to use Mint Mobile.

Is a vacation for a caregiver even possible? Yes — here’s your new way to ‘travel’

04 Caretaker Vacation Dogwoods In Bloom Aiken SC

The promise of a coming spring: When you’re a caretaker for an ill family member or friend, time can be in short supply. I was visiting rehab facilities for my mother when I saw this dogwood off Laurens Street in Aiken, South Carolina, in February 2018. It was a busy day full of worry, but I was able to pull over for a few restful minutes and glory in this early spring show. Click through the gallery for ways that you can turn a little bit of time into a “vacation.”

03 Caretaker Vacation Broad Street Augusta GA

City promenade: I had a family member take over bedside duties on a warm, sunny afternoon on March 31, 2018. I took full advantage of the respite and headed to Broad Street, the main commercial street running through downtown Augusta, Georgia, for a long walk. At left is the Lamar Building, completed in 1918. It was topped by a contemporary penthouse designed by I. M. Pei in 1975.

13 Caretaker Vactions Headwaters Augusta Canal GA

Canalside stroll: Water is diverted from the Savannah River at the Augusta Canal headgates at Savannah Rapids Park on April 14, 2018. I had a particularly hard week when I took this hourlong stroll — to me, it was as special as walks I’ve taken along the Seine, Thames and St. Lawrence rivers.

01 Caretaker Vacation Augusta Riverwalk GA

Augusta Riverwalk: A few weeks later, on April 20, 2018, I was able to slip away for about 30 minutes and go to the Augusta Riverwalk, which runs alongside the Savannah River downtown. When you’re spending most of your waking hours in a medical facility or at home caring for someone who is sick, these small breaks can make a big difference.

11 Caretaker Vacations Boundary Road Aiken SC

A lovely oak canopy: By May 5, 2018, we were preparing to take my mother back to her home after four months of hospitalization and rehab, and I was shopping for a new recliner for her. The oaks on South Boundary Avenue in Aiken, South Carolina, provide a natural archway and make for a lovely drive. I grew up less than an hour from here and somehow never made this incredible discovery. I pulled over long enough to snap a picture and got back to shopping.

06 Caretaker Vacation Flower Oakland Cemetery GA

Flowers extend into summer: Sometimes, you can take a “vacation” in your own proverbial backyard. Here, a flower blooms at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 23, 2018. This fascinating cemetery is an easy walk from my place. I’m fortunate that I live in the center of a city with so much to see and do. I can put in a full day of work and still take out time to relax.

10 Caretaker Vacation Seven Points Campground Nashville TN

Finally, a “real” getaway: With my mom doing better and at-home help in place, I took three days off from work and helping back home for a real road trip. This is J. Percy Priest Lake east of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. This picture was taken from Seven Points Campground on August 11, 2018.

08 Caretaker Vacation Lane Motor Museum Nashville TN

An upsetting phone call: Lane Motor Museum in Nashville has a large collection of vintage automobiles. Pictured is the MG TF-1954 from the Morris Garage Car Company (Britain). I was visiting the museum with a friend the same day that I went to the lake when I got a phone call that my mother had been taken to the ER. I was more than 400 miles away. On that frantic drive back, I realized I couldn’t be that far away again. Yet another redefinition of “vacation” would be in order. 07 Caretaker Vacation Friedman's Shoes Atlanta GA

07 Caretaker Vacation Friedman's Shoes Atlanta GA

Take a “trip” while you shop: Sometimes, you can take a trip while you’re doing chores. And to me, shopping is a definite chore. But I needed new shoes back on September 8, 2018. Friedman’s Shoes in downtown Atlanta has been open since 1929 and it was like a trip into the past. 12 Caretaker Vaction Lake Strom Thurmond SC

12 Caretaker Vaction Lake Strom Thurmond SC

Lake break: By October 14, 2018, my mother was two weeks into a particularly rough hospital stay. On this Sunday afternoon, I paid one of her at-home caretakers to come sit with her. My plan was to work, but I ended up going to Lake Strom Thurmond, which straddles the South Carolina-Georgia line. On this same day, I visited cousins I had not seen in decades. One of them came to visit my mother the next day. 05 Caretaker Vacation Downtown Aiken SC

Downtown lookover: A statue in downtown Aiken, South Carolina, reflects the town’s rich equestrian heritage. I explored around the downtown on November 25, 2018, for about an hour while hometown visitors sat with my mother. I think this is one of South Carolina’s nicest downtown areas.

02 Caretaker Vacation Avondale Estates GA

Winter walk: I used to walk a lot. These days, I’m in my car much more. But while a friend was passing through town on January 26, 2019, we were able to take the time to visit one of my favorite spots in the Atlanta area. It’s Lake Avondale, which is in the heart of Avondale Estates, a town east of Atlanta in DeKalb County.

09 Caretaker Vacation Night View Westin Atlanta GA

Do something next door: A nighttime view of Atlanta, looking toward Midtown, from the observation lounge of the Westin hotel in downtown on January 26, 2019. Talk about making use of what little time you have — the hotel is a five-minute walk for me.

Is a vacation for a caregiver even possible? Yes — here’s your new way to ‘travel’

Illustration for article titled Find Travel Companions to Split Costs With Using This Service

I’m a huge fan of traveling on my own. While traveling with friends can have a few advantages, the more friends you’re traveling with the more opinions there are on how you should spend your time. All those opinions mean you’re probably going to end up spending some, if not a lot of your vacation doing something you don’t want to do. Gaffl is a site that offers the best of both worlds.

With the site, you search for a place you’d like to travel and when and then find other travelers who plan on doing the same.

If you find someone who has a plan in mind you can get behind you can connect with them through the site and plan a trip together.

For instance, if you really want to go on a multiple day hike and the rest of your posse aren’t big outdoors folks, you can potentially find a person or group to tag along with on a trip.

The idea behind the site is that you’re not only connecting with people who want to do the same things you want to do, you’re also connecting with people who can share costs with you. For instance, if you plan on renting a car in Scotland to drive up into the Highlands for a few days, now you have someone to split the cost of that $400 rental with, and perhaps a drinking buddy.

In an interview with TravelPulse this week, the founder of the site says that he created it specifically with that cost aspect in mind. He says people on the site are using it to split Airbnbs and rental cars. The cost splitting aspect is so much a part of the site it has a tool called “Splits” that allows users to split money through the site before, during, or after a trip.

As you might imagine, users on the site have to pass a few verification steps to keep everyone safe. Browsing trips and joining the site is free, but if you find the perfect travel buddy and want to connect that will cost you $6.99 for 30 days. There’s also a $20 for six months plan and a $30/1-year plan.

It’s definitely not a replacement for that trip with all your pals, but for those trips you’ve been wanting to take that you can’t find a pal for it could be the perfect solution.

Days Gone Fast Travel Guide: How to Fast Travel across the Map in Days Gone?

Post-apocalyptic Oregon acts as the setting of Days Gone and the game’s open-world is a marvel to behold. Split into six different regions peppered with story missions, side-quests and survivor tasks, there is a lot to do and a lot of places to go.

However, with the world being so large you might wonder whether there is a faster way to make it from point A to point B.

While driving places on your bike is certainly thrilling, it’s also time-consuming and puts you at risk from Freaker attacks and marauder ambushes.

Thankfully, a fast travel option exists in the game which allows you to immediately travel from one checkpoint to another.

You will only be able to travel to certain areas, specifically camps and cleared-out ambush camps. But because of the number of ambush camps in each region you’ll find that you can fast travel to almost every corner of the map.

How to Clear Infestations to Fast Travel in Days Gone

Before you can fast travel to a location, you must first clear all the infestation zones that stand between you and your destination.

Infestation zones are too dangerous to fast travel through given the amount of Freakers which congregate in these areas, but clearing their nests makes the roads safer and unlocks the fast travel option.

Nests can be destroyed with fire (Molotov cocktails work best) and, once you’ve cleared all of them in a given area, you’ll be able to open the map, select an ambush/survivor camp and press square to fast travel there.

However, there are stipulations. In order to use the fast travel feature, you have to meet several requirements.

Bend Studio (Pic: PlayStation)

Days Gone Fast Travel Tips

Fuel Up

As we alluded to at the start, your motorbike must have enough fuel to fast travel to a location.

Even though you aren’t physically driving yourself to your destination, the act of moving around the world will deplete your bike’s fuel tank.

It’s important to take account of how much fuel you’ll use travelling to each location, and this will be outlined in the cost of each journey when you select which camp you want to fast travel to.

One of the most common mistakes newbies make is travelling too far across the map only to find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with no fuel. Make sure you plan your journeys accordingly before you fast travel anywhere!

No Fighting

You’ll also be banned from using fast travel during combat, or when enemies are aware of you. This means you cannot evade an angry Freaker horde by trying to fast travel to a safer location. If you’re having trouble with hordes, check out our handy horde guide here.

Fast travel is definitely a necessity in the vast open-world of Days Gone, so make sure you utilise it sensibly!

Don’t forget! Daily Star Gaming also has you covered for Days Gone Historical Marker locations in each of the game’s regions, as well as boss guides, survival tips and more!

Instagram Travel Blogger Recreates Iconic Scenes From Game Of Thrones

As far as telly shows go, Game of Thrones is one of the most beautiful. It has a large budget – which helps – but also makes up a lot of ground by utilising some of the world’s most beautiful places.

Malta, Croatia, and Northern Ireland have all featured heavily on the show, but now one Instagram travel blogger has shared her images from travelling the world and recreating some iconic scenes from the world’s biggest TV show.